Add a boozy twist to your cocktail hour by surprising guests with an extra drink station where they can order a couple of special drinks that you’ve chosen for the occasion. Love gin and tonics? Offer a tonic bar with they can order a classic G&T, as well as some other fun variations on the libation. Or perhaps you’ve got a penchant for bourbon. Stock a separate bar at the reception with bottles of your favorite bourbons so guests can sip and taste.

Unsure how this works? You can, of course, offer a specialty bar in addition to a fully stocked cocktail bar. Or, you can serve beer and wine alongside drinks from the specialty bar, and cut the full bar entirely to save on your bar budget.

Aside from being a fun and unexpected addition to the cocktail hour, a specialty bar is also incredibly functional. By serving your special drinks at a separate bar, you’ll cut down on wait times at the main bars. Similarly, if your specialty bar is a serve-yourself station, you might be able to cut down on the serving staff since that bar does not need to be manned. Keep reading for our favorite spins on this cocktail-hour idea.

Tonic Bar

Following the ceremony, guests arrived at cocktail hour, which featured a tonic bar. There, guests could choose from the bride’s and groom’s favorite tonic-based beverages, or build their own from a mix of different tonics, alcohols, and garnishes.

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Bourbon Bar

Bloody Mary Bar

Hosting an afternoon wedding? Or maybe you just love Bloody Marys? Either way, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar is a brilliant idea. Display a sign inviting guests to customize their own creation and have it fully stocked with bottles of vodka, mix, and all the topping accouterments.